"Each of you should realize at this point that you are our frontline in
the leadership trenches," Liquori said. "You are the first person the
Airmen look up to for guidance, mentorship, support and resources.
Without you, everything breaks down. We need you to learn your Airmen's
stories."

Liquori encouraged the NCOs to set the standard and help their Airmen learn about the Air Force.

"The Airmen are looking up to you as they're coming out of basic
training and beginning to learn more about what it is to be an Airman,"
Liquori said. "Set the example and put another generation of Airmen on
the right path to success in their Air Force career."

Liquori opened the discussion by noting current issues facing the Air Force.

"People ask me what's the toughest thing since I've been here, it's the
budget," Liquori said. "The budget situation is tight. We're making
tradeoffs and sacrifices every day, and I certainly see that firsthand.
What we are trying to do is make sure we are telling the wing's story to
the chain at 14th Air Force and Air Force Space Command."

Liquori also asked the NCOs' help in eliminating sexual assault as it is one of the big topics in the Air Force today.

"I need each and every one of you to join us in kicking this to the
curb," he said. "It's not acceptable; it is not professional; it
violates trust; it violates dignity; and it violates respect. Nobody
wants to work in an environment where that happens. It takes all of us
to recognize that it is not OK to do it; it is not OK to condone it; and
it is not OK to turn the other way."

As part of the meeting, NCOs also asked Liquori and Coles questions about promotion, mentorship and other personnel issues.

"I am trying to get to know you to see how I can help you grow
personally and professionally," Coles said. "For the mentorship aspect,
it is this environment (the breakfast with leadership) that we're going
to get our big money; it's getting involved with the 5/6. We're given
these stripes as noncommissioned officers for a reason: to get out and
lead."

At the closing of the breakfast, Liquori thanked the NCOs for participating in the event and spending time with leadership.

"Thank you very much for coming out," Liquori said. "It's the best
turnout we've had. It is a good opportunity for us to hear a little bit
about what's going in the trenches. Thank you for all the questions."